George I 1714-1727
George II 1727-1760
George III 1760-1820
For over 100 years, taking up most of the 18th century, is the remarkable period we call The Georgian Period. When the crisis of succession to the English Throne emerged after the death of Queen Anne without children in 1714, the throne was offered to the closest Protestant relative, George of Hannover.
Hannover is of course part of modern-day Germany; this ‘English King’ came to the throne without a word of English! In order to be able to run the country as required, the post of Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers was established – using the ‘locals’ in a Parliament that still exists today. His son, George, was better suited. Under his guidance, Britain expanded dramatically across the globe, establishing a trade network that brought goods from far & wide to the British Isles. George III was happy to follow in the same theme, and Britain became the destination – and source for – a vast amount of products. This is the source of the Georgian Antiques we love to this day.
The ‘Georgian Era’ change in England over the extent of the 18th century was remarkable: it saw the emergence of the British Empire, unmatched in power and size arguably even in the modern day. The securing of India as a colony was an immense source of wealth, and once the Industrial Revolution took root in Britain, science and production advanced on all fronts. The wealth produced from new enterprises led to steadily increasing numbers of people with money to spend – and as a result, the Arts world exploded into full bloom.
For example, with the invention of the weaving machines, a wealthy class of mill-owners emerged. They demanded luxury fittings for their magnificent mansions they constructed – and so the furniture makers, the glass blowers, the silversmiths, and the porcelain producers were able to find a huge market for their products.
The material culture of this period is readily available here in Australia, despite only having the smallest of population from the point of colonisation in 1788. This is due to the appeal of the Georgian aesthetic to the wealthy population as the colony expanded in the 19th century. The majority of the population continued to be from the British Isles; by the time Australia became independent in 1901, there was an engrained nostalgia for the ‘old country’. This is evident in the architecture, with a great many Georgian style houses of all sizes being built, and their interiors were furnished in a similar Georgian manner. A great quantity of Georgian pieces came to Australia throughout the 20th century.
There were 18th century ‘family heirlooms’ brought out with settlers from the earliest period – and with the rise of ‘Collecting’ in the latter 19th century, shipments of Art & Antiques flowed steadily to Australia where they were used to create the ambience of English Culture, artificially inserted into what was still a very young country. As the Antiques trade grew, Georgian furniture was the most desired amongst the new collectors of Australia – being such a young country, there was plenty of Victorian wares already present, but a lack of 18th century items. Today, there is still a small number of people who appreciate the design & quality of these pieces. The simplicity of design, quality of execution, and classical proportions continue to express the sophistication of those who enjoy the Georgian Era antiques.
Moorabool always keeps a good stock of genuine Georgian Furniture, Silver, Glass, and Ceramics.
Georgian Furniture
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Unusual small George III pale mahogany side table, c.1820Sold
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Georgian Oak dropside table with pad feet, Oval, c.1760$2,200.00 AUD
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Handsome Mahogany George III chest of drawers with original knobs, c.1790$1,250.00 AUD
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Hepplewhite mahogany chair C. 1785$780.00 AUD
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Georgian Curved front Oak Corner cupboard, C.1795$1,250.00 AUD
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Georgian Mahogany dropside table with pad feet, c. 1760$1,650.00 AUD
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Mahogany dropside table with fine square legs and brass castors, c. 1800$950.00 AUD
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Georgian Cuban Mahogany dropside table, 6 pad feet, c. 1750$2,450.00 AUD
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Georgian mahogany carver armchair, carved & pierced, c. 1785$1,150.00 AUD
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Georgian Mahogany large bowfront chest-of-drawers, c. 1820Sold
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Elegant Georgian mahogany dressing table mirror, c. 1770$1,350.00 AUD
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Georgian Mahogany 3-tier round dumb waiter, c. 1760$2,200.00 AUD
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Georgian Hepplewhite Mahogany sideboard, c.1780$1,850.00 AUD
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Mahogany occasional tilt-table, turned column & tripod base, c.1820$1,450.00 AUD
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Georgian mahogany tilt-top table on tripod base, c.1765$2,600.00 AUD
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George III mahogany dressing mirror, C. 1795$680.00 AUD
Georgian Glass
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Pair of Georgian boat-shape cut glass salts, c. 1810$385.00 AUD
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Georgian cut glass oval open salt, c. 1820.$145.00 AUD
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Georgian cut glass open salt on pedestal base, c. 1820.$245.00 AUD
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Pair of cut glass salts, hobnail cut, late 19th c.$135.00 AUD
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Georgian wine glass with faceted bowl and knop, folded foot C.1760$465.00 AUD
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Georgian boat shaped open salt c. 1800.$135.00 AUD
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Quality cut glass covered bowl on stem, c.1820.$395.00 AUD
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Georgian cut glass pair of open salts, C. 1800$440.00 AUD
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Late Georgian/ William IV decanter, C.1830$295.00 AUD
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Small late Georgian decanter with 3 rings to the neck, C.1830$95.00 AUD
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Georgian Green glass ‘dump’ doorstop/paperweight, 19th C$380.00 AUD
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Glass dump paperweight , 19th C$245.00 AUD
Georgian Silver
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Georgian Sterling Silver fish server, London 1826$345.00 AUD
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Sterling Silver mustard spoon, William Fountain, London 1810$120.00 AUD
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Rare Sterling Silver toast rack, Mathew Boulton 1820Sold
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Old Sheffield Plate Argyle jug, Ivory handle, c. 1795Sold
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Macintosh Family -6 Bateman Sterling Silver teaspoons, Shell & Husk, London 1839Sold
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Macintosh Clan, Bateman Sterling Silver salt spoon, Shell & Husk, London 1839$265.00 AUD
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Macintosh Clan, Bateman Sterling Silver mustard spoon, Shell & Husk, London 1839$265.00 AUD
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Macintosh Clan, Bateman Sterling Silver sauce ladle, Shell & Husk, London 1839$295.00 AUD
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Macintosh Clan, Bateman Sterling Silver sauce ladle, Shell & Husk, London 1839$295.00 AUD
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Macintosh Clan, Bateman Sterling Silver Butterknife, Shell & Husk, London 1839Sold
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Macintosh Family, Bateman, Sterling Silver Setting for 6, Shell & Husk, London 1839Sold
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Sterling silver fish slice, Alice & George Burrows, London 1808$295.00 AUD
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William Homer silver sugar tongs, c.1740$280.00 AUD
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Georgian Sterling Silver Ivory handled fruit set Sheffield 1819 & 1849$980.00 AUD
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Sterling Silver small ladle, Mary Tudor & Phillip Sixpence 1554 – Edinburgh 1809 mount$645.00 AUD
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Set of 6 Georgian Silver-handled forks, embossed handles, c. 1780$780.00 AUD
Georgian Ceramics
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Rare Wedgwood ‘Roso Antico’ Teapot, prunus & bamboo moulded, c. 1820Sold
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Early Ridgway pierced basket & stand, Romantic Landscape pat. 502, c. 1825$495.00 AUD
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Early Ridgway plate, Romantic Landscape pat. 502, c. 1825$145.00 AUD
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Early Ridgway plate, Romantic Landscape pat. 502, c. 1825$145.00 AUD
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Early Ridgway plate, Romantic Landscape pat. 502, c. 1825$235.00 AUD
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Caughley creamer with gilt leaf pattern, c. 1780$445.00 AUD
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Wedgwood creamware plate, G. Green printed scene, C. 1795$595.00 AUD
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Coalport plate from a service for George Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Grafton, c. 1825$185.00 AUD
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Wedgwood Creamware plate, double eagles crest, Robert Wallace of Kelly c. 1810$285.00 AUD
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Flight Barr Barr Worcester Eagle Armorial plate, Shank or Forbes family, ‘SPERO’ c. 1820$395.00 AUD
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Chelsea Rococo lady bust, bodkin case top with original mount, c. 1755Sold
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Chelsea-Derby bust of ‘Spring’, after a Meissen original, circa 1775$1,850.00 AUD
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Large Caughley mug / tankard, ‘Pine Cone’ print, C. 1785$675.00 AUD
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Chamberlains Worcester London shape Slop bowl, ‘Rich Japanese’ c.1800Sold
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Chamberlains Worcester Rich Japanese cup & saucer C 1795$290.00 AUD
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Dr Wall Worcester cup & saucer, green sharktooth border, C. 1770$1,250.00 AUD
Note: we have only provided a taste of the incredible variety and volume of Georgian Ceramics; we suggest you go to our ‘Ceramics’ stock section and have a browse there.